Cardiovascular Fitness Explained: We’re Answering Your Most Common Cardio Questions
Cardiovascular fitness, in essence, is pretty simple: it’s a type of exercise or activity that is done for an extended period of time and requires a heavy increase of oxygen to the muscles in order to increase longevity and endurance.
And while most people know popular cardio exercises, there’s still a lot of misinformation and mystery behind these types of exercises.
Is it the best exercise for weight loss? Should you do cardio every day? What cardio exercise is the best?
If these are the types of questions you have about cardio, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’re going to answer the top 6 common cardio questions in order to shed light on this beloved type of exercise, as well as give you recommendations for how to improve your cardiovascular endurance with the help of the experts at ACAC!
The Top 6 Common Cardio Questions Explained
There’s nothing more frustrating than having someone tell you to do a particular exercise, but not tell you why.
We find this happens a lot with cardio. In general, cardio is a super workout, but its notoriety has also left people a little confused as there’s both so much and so little information about what cardio is and if it’s right for you.
We do always recommend speaking to a healthcare physician or certified personal trainer for your unique health needs before starting a workout regimen.
Below, we’ve answered the top 6 questions we get about cardio!
What are the Benefits of Cardiovascular Fitness
Cardiovascular exercise is incredibly beneficial for improving a variety of different functions, including:
- Development of muscular strength
- Improved mobility
- Flexibility
- Weight reduction
- Reducing the risk of heart disease
- Lowering cholesterol
A few non-physical benefits of cardio, include:
- Lowering cortisol levels
- Increase energy
- Meet new people
How Often Should You Do Cardio Workouts?
According the American Heart Association, everyone should aim for doing some form of cardiovascular exercises 5-7 days a week for a minimum of 30-minutes.
What is the Best Type of Cardio Exercise?
While there is no right answer to this question, as everyone has different capabilities, preferences, and needs, there are three different types of aerobic exercises most personal trainers will recommend for anyone trying to prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, or weight gain:
- Walking
- Running
- Biking
- Swimming
- Skiing
- HIIT
- Rowing
What is the Difference Between Cardio and Strength Training?
While cardio and strength training are two very important parts of a healthy lifestyle and exercises routine, they serve different purposes.
Strength training is utilized more as a way to build muscle and bone strength, whereas cardio is used to improve muscular endurance.
How Important is Cardio for Losing Weight?
While cardio, in the moment, will help burn extra calories, the best results come from combining cardio with a strength training regimen, as this can help you continue to burn calories after you’ve finished working out.
How Can I Get a Cardio Assessment?
In order to see how hard you should be working, you’ll need to determine your target heart rate. This can either be done on your own or with the help of a certified personal trainer who can provide you with a fitness assessment and create a routine that’s right for you!
Looking for Your Perfect Cardio Exercise? Join ACAC Today!
If you’re ready to increase your cardiovascular endurance in time for summer, then head to ACAC where our knowledgeable experts can help you in achieving your fitness and lifestyle goals! Enjoy world class, luxury amenities and state-of-the-art equipment that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.
Join today and be a part of the ACAC family!